Rethinking the Open

Beschrijving

The Master of Science in Human Settlements (MaHS) critically addresses the challenges set by major urban transformations across the globe, with an eye towards environmental degradation and sustainability, rising socio-spatial inequalities, scarcity and well-being. These issues are explored during an intensive 12-month programme that involves design studios, workshops and an international guest lecture series. This lecture was part of that lecture series.

Many discussions within urbanism and spatial development revolve around urban structures and their challenges. Within these discussions, open space and landscape are frequently seen as passive opposites of the urban in need of protection. This lecture wants to challenge that view by looking at open spaces and landscape as possible structuring entities for urbanisation, showing how open space is not a static or passive but rather dynamic given affected by a number of challenges such as horsification, garden sprawl, and various fundamental changes in agriculture. Furthermore, the 'pilot projects for a productive landscape', an initiative that explores how to activate open space through rural uses, will be discussed. This program was initiated by the Flemish Government Architect, the Institute for Agriculture and Fishery Research (ILVO), the Ministry and Department of Agriculture, and the Planning Department of the Flemish Government, to support innovative rural progress that has a clear spatial impact and high societal value.

Periode	8-dec-2015
Gehouden op	KU Leuven, België
Mate van erkenning	Internationaal